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Tatler Asia
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Tatler Asia
Surf's up: here's where to go for your next surfing holiday in Asia—no matter your skill level
2. Maldives: Male, Central and Southern Atolls Far from just a honeymoon destination, this Indian Ocean paradise offers crystal-clear barrels and luxury surf experiences where you might find yourself alone on a perfect wave. The surf scene is divided into three distinct regions, each with its own character and season. The Male Atolls, closest to the capital and international airport, serve as the most accessible surf hub with famous breaks like Cokes, Chickens and Jailbreaks peaking March through October. The Central Atolls, which include Thaa and Laamu, are perfect for travellers seeking uncrowded waves and unique surf travel experiences from May to August. For more experienced surfers, the Southern or Outer Atolls bring powerful waves from February to April, and then again in August through October. Read more: Underwater villas, private islands and more: Discover the Maldives' most luxurious resorts 3. Philippines: Siargao, La Union and Baler Known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, the island of Siargao in Mindanao offers diverse breaks across its coastline facing the Pacific Ocean. Cloud 9 can swell from chest-high to triple overhead and beyond, particularly from September to October. For gentler alternatives, Jacking Horse is a few meters from Cloud 9, while Guiwan or Secret Beach requires a quick scooter ride and eagle eyes to spot the tiny roadside sign. Up in the northern part of Luzon island facing the West Philippine Sea, La Union draws a mix of beginners and experienced surfers. The towns of Urbiztondo, Taboc and Bacnotan offer inside sections ideal for learning, while intermediate surfers line up at Monaliza Point and Carille, with the northeast swells arriving October through February. On the eastern shores of Luzon lies Baler, said to be the birthplace of Philippine surfing, after locals picked up surfboards left behind by the film crew of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now . Sabang Beach provides fairly consistent waves for beginners, while Cemento or Cobra Reef rewards a sharp reef walk-out with powerful, glassy walls, peaking September through January. Also read: 5 things we miss about La Union: Surfing in Urbiztondo, Cliff Diving, and more 4. Japan: Chiba, Chigasaki and Okinawa Japan's surf scene is defined by seasonal shifts and a coastline stretching from snowy shores to subtropical reefs. Just east of Tokyo, Chiba offers beach and reef breaks suited for all levels. It's home to Tsurigasaki Beach, the 2020 Olympic surf venue. Summer months (June to August) bring solid waves, while winter (December to February) offers consistent swells and fewer crowds—just pack or rent a good wetsuit. On clear days, you can surf with a view of Mt. Fuji in Chigasaki, southwest of Tokyo. The beach and jetty break works best during spring (March to May) and in the monsoon month of September, but beginner-friendly waves can be found year-round. Three hours from Tokyo by plane, Okinawa offers warm-water reef breaks, thanks to its subtropical location. The waves, best enjoyed August through March, tend to suit intermediate and advanced surfers, but calmer days and surf schools make it accessible for beginners. Also read: Exploring Okinawa: Where food, wellness, and culture meet 5. Sri Lanka: Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa and Weligama On Sri Lanka's east coast, Arugam Bay is the crown jewel for surfers. Main Point's long, right-hand breaks serve up waves from May to August, while Baby Point offers soft, sandy-bottom rides for learners. When Arugam winds down, the southwest coast—where you can find Hikkaduwa and Weligama—ramps up from November to April. Hikkaduwa suits surfers of all levels, while Weligama is considered the best beach in the country for first-timers. 6. Malaysia: Cherating and Desaru Coast The monsoon season is the best time to enjoy Malaysia's growing surf scene. On the Malay Peninsula's east coast, Cherating offers waves up to over four feet, with long rides up to 500 meters from the break point. The northeast monsoon season (October to March) provides the most consistent swells, with gentler inside sections perfect for learners. Along the southern tip of Malaysia, Desaru Coast has grown into a local surf favourite. Accessible beach breaks at Desaru Public Beach, Tanjung Balau and Wild Boar Beach welcome all levels. 7. Thailand: Phuket and Ko Phayam The Land of Smiles offers a laid-back, beginner-friendly introduction to surfing, with the monsoon season (April to September) bringing swells to its Andaman Sea coastline. On the country's largest island, Phuket serves as the established surf hub with over 25 beaches. Kata Beach, where Phuket surfing began, offers sandbank-enhanced swells, while Kalim Beach is a pure reef break capable of channeling overhead waves. Several surfboard shops and schools are scattered around the island, so it's easy to get kitted out or book a last-minute lesson. Don't miss: Savour & sip: 5 must-visit restaurants and bars on the island of Phuket For those seeking a more remote surfing experience, Ko Phayam offers a fantastic surf scene that some consider at par with Phuket on its best days. Beginners will be stoked by the mellow waves at the less crowded Aow Yai Beach.
The Herald Scotland
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
'Was he being ironic?': King Creosote at the Albert Halls
Three stars 'Was he being ironic?' the woman beside me asked. You could understand her uncertainty. After an hour of ringing, at times joyous music interspersed with comic grumbling and daft anecdotes, Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote,had just returned to the stage to get some things off his chest. 'These views are purely my own. They do not reflect anyone else, probably in the room … They're just mine. I'm just having a go at things,' he told us before launching into a song he's been working on since 2021, entitled Cattle, Sheep, Chickens, a slightly scattershot lyric that did suggest he was worried about fluoride in the water and 15-minute cities and in which he told us that he'd been called a tree-hugger, a far right anti-vaxxer and a conspiracy theorist in a tin foil hat. And then came Dare I Hope I'm One of the Good Guys, a list-style song that rattled through a number of, shall we say, 'controversial' characters, all of whom Anderson seemed to suggest qualified for the epithet. They ranged from Van Morrison and JK Rowling to Right Said Fred and Eric Clapton. But it may have been the mentions for Mel Gibson, Alex Jones, Tucker Carlson and Neil Oliver - 'one of the best guys' - that had my gig neighbour scratching her head. These days Anderson is still living in the East Neuk, but largely offline and off the grid. He's only using paper money and at last year's Celtic Connections he finished his performance by railing against globalisation. Clear then that he is, as they say, on something of a journey. He spent much of this evening jokily telling us he was keeping his lip buttoned or telling daft anecdotes that, he hoped, wouldn't get him 'cancelled'. Set aside the fact that criticism is not cancellation, where does this leave us? Read More At the end of a very rum evening, I guess, a head-scratching mixture of beauty and bewilderment, starting early with the support act from Keny 'KY-10' Drew on modular synth. He was accompanied by Des Lawson on Korg and UDO keyboards, with Anderson himself 'messing around at the back.' The result was 30 minutes of largely instrumental music (with some jellyfish-flavoured sci-fi voiceover) that had a lovely bubbling warmth to it. Pushing buttons and knobs, Anderson had to put his glasses on just to see what he was doing. A rather sweet human detail. I know the feeling. But, really, if you've come to see King Creosote it's because you want to hear him sing. And so the main part of the evening saw Anderson, Lawson and Drew (this time on visuals) reassemble to jump back and forth through the extensive King Creosote back catalogue, starting with Aurora Boring Alias - one of the tracks he recorded with Jon Hopkins for the Honest Words EP in 2011 - before jumping back to 2000 and Something Beginning With D. Does Anderson himself want to hear himself sing, I did wonder at times? There were moments when he stepped back from the mic, his vocal becoming a slightly muted texture in the mix. As a result Blue Marbled Elm Trees, one of the most beautiful songs on his last album I DES, doesn't quite hit home as hard as it should. But when he comes in close - on tracks like Kirby Grips, an absolutely transcendent My Favourite Girl and Bats in the Attic, the final song of the set - you fully hear the yearn and ache of that glorious keening voice. At those points the night reached for the stars. And then the encore. The Stirling audience received it politely. Maybe they were all wondering if these songs were ironic too.
